February 14, 21, 28, and April 4, 11, 18, 25 (Also to be live-streamed for subscribers)

This spring we will continue our course to further H. H. the Dalai Lama’s contemporary world initiatives, from His Holiness’ American Institute of Buddhist Studies and Mind and Life science dialogues (Universe in a Single Atom) and His creation of Abhidharma 2.0 through the “Science for Monks” programs, his “secular ethics” (Ethics for the New Millennium and Beyond Religion), His nonviolent approach to conflict resolution, including His Nobel Peace Laureate activities to seek dialogue and a win-win reconciliation with China in the face of the ongoing ethnicidal policies in Tibet (Freedom in Exile and Man of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story), along with his emphasis on positive activism (A New Reality: Charter of Universal Responsibility), and finally, His opening up the study of the esoteric Tantras through his 34 Kalachakra Grand Initiations (The Kalachakra Initiation, Tantra in Tibet, and other such works). The “root texts” for this spring, for Part 1, will be the Noble Teaching of Vimalakirti Sutra, and for Part 2, Nagarjuna’s Jewel Garland, along with selections from various other works in English translation, as well as passages from works of His Holiness. Some readings will be available for purchase, others provided online to enrollees. The course can be taken as a whole, in two separate units of three or four, or one by one. Menla retreats must be taken under separate registration with Menla.

Faculty: Robert Thurman (RAFT), with participation by Dr. Thomas Yarnall, Dr. Mark Epstein, Sharon Salzberg, Krishna Das, Dr. Isa Gucciardi, Lelung Tulku Rinpoche, and occasional guest teachers, such as Thubten Chodron (founder of Sravasti Nunnery and co-author with His Holiness of Approach to the Buddhist Path, and Buddhism: One Teacher Many Traditions)

Part 1: This Magical World of Shakyamuni Buddha as Revealed by VimalakirtiFebruary 14 – Intro, How to Build a Buddhaverse and Buddhist Nondual PhysicsFebruary 21 – Consolation of the Invalid – Selflesnes, Emptiness, Relativity, and NondualityFebruary 28 – The Inconceivable Liberation, and the Feminine Wisdom
(Optional Course Enhancements: Any of the Nalanda Institute Programs)

Part 2: Buddhist Ethics and the World Crisis: Counsel for Kings (Ratnavali)April 4 – The Ethics of Restraint and The Evolutionary BasisApril 11 – The Ethics of Evolutionary Skill in GoodnessApril 18 – The Ethics of Transformation and PowerApril 25 – The Ethics of Cool Revolution

May 2 and May 9, possible course on Mind-Transformation (Lojong) and Healing Exorcism, with Lelung Tulku Rinpoche.

REGISTRATION:
To attend in person: General:$25/Members:$22.50 for each session.
PART 1 or PART 2: General: $90/Members: $80 for each part.
SERIES (Part 1 & 2): General:$180/Members:$160.CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

JOIN VIA WEBCAST:
$7 for each session and $50 for whole series. (There is no member discount for webcast).CLICK HERE TO REGISTER